A few people came online to do Goodgym Yoga.

Yoga talk Get rid of the Fuzz Dr Gil Hedley explains brilliantly in his online talk that in order for the body to be optimally healthy and feel physically good, it’s important to move at the beginning of the day. Overnight, our muscles rest and while they’re not moving, layers of connective tissue and bodily fluid – fondly known as ‘fuzz’ – builds up between them. That urge to stretch we get upon waking is essentially an act of releasing the fuzzy build up found between muscles. If we don’t move and stretch however, this layer continues to thicken and build up, causing stiffness, chronically ‘tight’ muscles and common aches and pains. 

🌼🌺HAINAULT STATION COMMUNITY GARDEN🌺🌼

We had a beautiful sunny morning to meet up by the station, three goodgymmers and 4 local volunteers assembled at the station and got to work very quickly! And despite two no-shows, we had a great group for all the tasks that needed to be done!

We had lots to do: - Take rubbish and many cigarette butts out of neglected planters - Fill watering cans with a very interesting system we have of using a hoover hose and using sinks at the station men's toilets (it's as grim as it sounds! but can't look into a gift horse's mouth - just grateful for water source) - Weed and pick litter out of the lush green planters - Fill the planters with fresh compost - Plant out a selection of green, shade loving plants as they will be under the bridge with not a lot of sun - Water everything thoroughly - Sweep up the mess we made along the front of the station

We had a nice post-task cuppa after a couple of hours of hard work, sitting in the sun, chatting, talking with locals - a lovely time! Well done everyone and thank you for your brilliant help to make an area of Redbridge that much better!

smorgasbord /ˈsmɔːɡəsbɔːd/ noun a range of open sandwiches and delicacies served as hors d'oeuvres or a buffet. a wide range of something; a variety. "the album is a smorgasbord of different musical styles"

Initially perhaps not the most logical title, but it actually covers things quite well...

• a wide variety of baby clothing and accessories to be sorted
• a wide variety of GG crew coming together
• a wide variety of transport methods used, mainly involving feet & bikes & train

As always, conversation flowed while bags full of donations got checked and sorted, from health & well being to linguistics and reclaiming old school words (ask Sharon about that one 🤣)

Bags of donations empty, sorted clothing expertly packed up by Adam and it was time to make our goodbyes again - back in 6 weeks!

Is this a bit tardy in its publication? YES. Would Raymond ordinarily have already sent me a reminder and a gentle ribbing? TOO RIGHT.

So many of us came together last Saturday morning at Walthamstow Parkrun for a GoodGym takeover, to celebrate and remember Raymond/Ramon/Ray as he was variously known, who we lost so sadly and suddenly just before Christmas, on 18th December.

There was a huge turnout, despite the freezing 🥶 weather, reflective of how much he was loved, with close family and friends from all areas of his life coming together. Ably run-directed by the lovely Louise, and I have no doubt that Raymond would have loved seeing his son start the runners off, which he did with aplomb.

And SO many Goodgymers! Thank-you Ruby for organising, and Saj, and many more. A full complement of GG marshals, time keepers, barcode scanners. Not just from GG Waltham Forest, oh no. You see, not only was Ramon an active member of GGWF (let’s be honest, Raymond WAS GGWF!), he did so many GG tasks for other branches too. Particularly solo missions for isolated people in all of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Hackney, Harringey, Tower Hamlets, Islington, and probably more. He wasn’t flashy, he just got on with it, including what he was able to do during COVID. Like it says on his GG Page “Just me…No Dramas”.

He was a friend to many, enormously perceptive and kind, being quietly or completely not quietly (😊) supportive when required! He had a wicked sense of fun, and he never turned down a challenge to construct the most outlandish random outfits while rummaging through and organising charity donations 🦸🏾‍♂️.

Thanks to GG Ivofor coming (always a pleasure), Latoyafrom @GoodGymHaringey , and so many others who were lucky enough to have known Ramon, and had the opportunity to “do good” alongside him.

It was truly wonderful meeting some special people in Ramon’s life, and having a good chin wag while being the Tail Walker and sharing memories of him.

It wouldn’t have been Walthamstow Parkrun without some cake 🍰 at the end, and then off to the local greasy spoon, as I am sure Ramon would agree, was only right and proper.

Farewell lovely Raymond. Please consider making a donation in his name to one of the 3 excellent charities on the flyer. Thank-you.